Anahat Singh’s impressive London Squash Classic run ends in quarters

India's Anahat Singh's impressive run at the London Squash Classic ended in the quarterfinals after she went down 4-11, 4-11 to Malaysian world No. 5 Sivasangari Subramaniam here.

The 18-year-old reigning world junior champion had reached the last eight of the PSA Gold event after producing one of the biggest wins of her young career, defeating world No. 11 and fourth seed Nele Gilis 13-11, 4-11, 11-8 in the second round. It was her first appearance in a PSA Gold-level quarterfinal and made her the first Indian woman since Joshna Chinappa in 2021 to reach the stage.

Against Sivasangari, the third seed, Anahat struggled to match the Malaysian's control and consistency. Sivasangari, the 2024 London Squash Classic champion, wrapped up the quarterfinal in 17 minutes.

Despite the defeat, Anahat's London campaign adds another significant achievement to a breakthrough year.

In July, she became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, defeating Egypt's Ruqayya Salem in the final and ending Egypt's 15-year dominance of the event.

Earlier this year, Anahat also claimed her maiden PSA Bronze-level title at the Squash On Fire Open in Washington, beating reigning Commonwealth Games champion Georgina Kennedy in the final. That victory made her the youngest Asian player to break into the world's top 20.

Anahat will now turn her attention to the Qatar Classic, beginning on September 12, before the Asian Games in Japan start on September 19.

The teenager will be among India's leading squash prospects at the Asian Games, where the sport will also have added significance with squash making its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.